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Democratic Mid-Island City Council candidate Mendy Mirocznik, shown here with Democratic chairman John Gulino and other supporters, said he opposes the 10-cent charge on plastic bags in stores, and would appoint a small business liaison in his office.
(Staten Island Advance/Tom Wrobleski)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Democratic Mid-Island City Council candidate Mendy Mirocznik on Wednesday issued a host of proposals aimed at boosting small business.

Mirocznik said that the city cares more about "bombarding local business owners with fines and violations" than about providing an environment where business can flourish.

"Small business is the heart and soul of Staten Island," Mirocznik said at the New Dorp stop of the Staten Island Railway. "I want to be their voice."

Among his proposals, Mirocznik said he would oppose the newly proposed 10-cent charge for plastic bags in stores, and would appoint a small-business liaison in his Council office.

He said he would study the feasibility of creating a Mid-Island Business Improvement District; advocate for a tax break for storefront renovation, and would look to place a cap on business fines for first-time offenders.

South Beach Civic Association president Joe McAllister said that the focus needs to be on restoring businesses in areas devastated by Hurricane Sandy.

"How are we supposed to get money back into the community?" he said. "If those businesses aren't up and running, everybody's losing."

Mirocznik said he chose the train station as his backdrop because good transportation options are key to economic development.

Mirocznik is running against John Mancuso in the Sept. 10 Democratic primary.---Follow @siadvance on Twitter, join us on Facebook